Match Information
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Larkspur Rovers 2-5 Shenfield AFC
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When: Saturday 2nd March 2024
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Kick-off: 2.30pm
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Where: Northolt High Sports Centre, Northolt High School, Eastcote Lane, Northolt, Middlesex UB5 4HP
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Competition: Anagram Records Trophy Quarter-Finals
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Attendance: 22
Another magic football Saturday beckoned for me but once again heavy rain was forecast all over the country. Hundreds of games were being postponed as early as the Friday morning - what's the betting my intended fixture was going to be off as well?
So my self-imposed groundhopping rule kicked in whereby I will not set off to a match if there is any doubt whatsoever about it actually taking place. The way to avoid such problems is to head for action on a 3G artificial pitch.
Even so, I only have four synthetic surfaces left to visit in the entire National League System (Non-League Step 1 to 6) at Burscough FC, Lower Breck FC, Steeton AFC and Sunderland West End FC.
Nevertheless late on the Friday evening, I read on an internet forum that Larkspur Rovers versus Shenfield had been switched to a very unusual 3G school venue known as Northolt High Sports Centre.
Matters confused me a little though as I had attended a pre-season friendly in Northolt between Brook House and Abbey Rangers Development back in July 2023 on 3G at Alec Reed Academy. Was it the same place under a different name?
My quick Google Maps search confirmed Northolt High and Alec Reed are two separate education locations based a mile and a half apart in Northolt. Therefore the Larkspur Rovers temporary home would indeed be a new ground for me.
It was an attractive fixture too in the Anagram Records Trophy Quarter Finals. This knock-out competition has operated successfully around the south-east of England since 1999 featuring clubs gracing the level formerly known as Step 7.
One of the best attended finals was in 2019 at Redbridge FC when Catholic United defeated Clapton Community before a crowd of 540.
Ground Description
Sports centre facilities are accessed via a lane round to the right hand side of the school leading to parking bays. Prominent signage refers to a former England international defender:
“To commemorate the official opening of Northolt High School’s new 3G ATP – Officially opened by Chris Powell on Tuesday 12 April 2016.”
It was delivered courtesy of a £288,034 grant secured by Ealing Council and Northolt High School from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund, overseen through the Football Foundation. The pitch is caged in and floodlit.
There is no designated spectator area although the match referee kindly allowed supporters and groundhoppers to stand inside the cage down one touchline alongside the coaches and substitutes.
Programme Details
I believe competition rules specify that programmes must be issued for Anagram Records Trophy ties. However, I hadn’t expected three assorted programmes to materialise on the day!
Host team Larkspur Rovers offered a smart eight pager on good quality card given away free of charge. In addition, opponents Shenfield published their usual 16 page online programme which seems to be available both home and away.
Also, I heard rumours one of the groundhoppers present wasn’t anticipating any programmes of any kind so he diligently brought along his own self-produced effort!
The Match
Larkspur Rovers of the Cherry Red Books Middlesex County League took on Essex Olympian League visitors. A real competitive edge contributed to one of the best games I’ve enjoyed all season.
Firstly, a special mention for Shenfield goalkeeper Joe Durrant. He dived low to save a penalty denying Larkspur’s Liam Walford after 17 minutes.
Then four minutes later, Joe hammered a free-kick 70 yards forward and it ended up sailing under the crossbar at the other end of the pitch. One of the best goals by a keeper I have ever seen live!
A pity no one filmed it. The other Shenfield scorers were Anthony Byfield own goal (24 minutes), George Borley (37 mins), Marlon Stratford (50 mins) and Ben Absolon (59 mins).
The Larkspur strikes came from Jaeru Constance Kelly (45+7 mins) and Deluxe Mwengula (74 mins). Tremendous entertainment overall.
Football grounds visited: 2,558
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
